We all know those games that have poor design, but what exactly is the impact when it's good? Let's take a look at the importance of graphic design in gaming.
Immersive Thematics
We often see a lot of emphasis on the design of game mechanics. However, without creative graphic design, games using the same mechanic would all look exactly the same. Take something like Cash Collect slots for example, which all have the namesake feature embedded in the gameplay. Whilst the rules of gameplay remain the same – a specific symbol triggering the Cash Collect feature – each game has a different feel. Sahara Riches uses imagery like sweeping sand dunes and palm trees, and a color palette featuring bright blues and warm yellows.
Whilst sharing the same game mechanics, other Cash Collect games use entirely different imagery. Azteca features Aztec temples, forest greens, and shining gold, with sepia tones; Gladiator has iconic Roman architecture and weaponry, with royal red taking center stage; and Silent Samurai has a rosy pink haze, celebrating the iconography of cherry blossom trees. With this in mind, the choices made in the graphic design process are what set the games apart from one another, building immersive thematics. As each theme is believable, this makes the gameplay more engaging for players, for an authentic themed casino experience.
User Interface (UI)
If you're not familiar with the jargon, UI is any point where a human interacts and communicates with a device or program, as defined by Tech Target. With any type of design, the aim is to ensure that the UI design is easy to use and aesthetically pleasing. This is perhaps even more important with game design, as UI design includes everything from game instructions to game mechanics, maps, command prompts, and more technical informative elements.
Put simply, graphic designers have to consider how it looks, whether it conveys the required message or directs users to enact the required behavior, and whether it is clear what it does. In other words, to start the game, the ‘start' button needs to be obvious, be explicitly clear that you need to click it to start the game, and be well-designed as to encourage people to play the game. Whilst often underappreciated, UI graphic design is an unsung hero of games.
Cross-Cultural Communication
According to What's The Big Data, there are over 3.2 billion people who play games around the world – at least 1.48 billion are located in Asia and 715 million in Europe. In the US, there is a 55%/45% split between men and women. This goes to show just how many different demographics graphic designers need to appeal to and communicate with, across different languages and cultural nuances.
With effective graphic design, gameplay can cross language barriers for cross-cultural communication. This involves using things like color coding and icons that are instantly recognizable. For example, green for yes and red for no, or using icons for play, pause, go back, and so on, avoiding the need for multiple translations.
As you can see, graphic design is incredibly important in game design, from developing thematics to ensuring the game is actually playable, as well as communicating to all kinds of different players. Without good graphic design, our favorite games could be completely different.
